Collapsible receptacle



C. I. FARLEY.

' COLLAPSiBLE RECEPTACLE.

APPLICATION FI LED MAY 24. 1921.

1,407,054. Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

UNITE CATHERINE ISABELLA FARLEY, OF EX TEB, ENG-LAND.

COLLAPSIBLE RECEPTACLE.

Application filed May 24, 1921. Serial No. 472,258.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CATHERINE ISABELLA FARLEY, of Brockhill, Broad Clyst, Exeter, England, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in or Relatin to Collapsible Receptacles, of which the following in a specification.

My invention relates to collapsible receptacles such as boxes, baskets and presses of the type comprising a base having four sides hinged thereto and adapted to lie flat thereon when in the collapsed position.

A collapsible receptacle made in accordance with this invention is characterized in that a cover or the like consisting of two or more pieces is hinged directly or indirectly to one pair of opposite sides, the said cover and four sides being adapted to fold fiat on the base when in the collapsed position, and in that means are provided for locking the four sides together when in the erected position.

It will be understood that the terms, cover, sides, base, and ends are merely relative, their function remains the same whichever way the receptacle is turned.

The drawing filed herewith shows one wa of carrying out my invention t consists of a base, two sides a, two ends Z) and two half covers 0.

The sides are hinged to low plinths or walls cZ immovably fixed to the base. The hinges are arranged in such a manner as to allow the sides to fold inwards. V The height that the sides supported thereon may fold fiat, one over the folded in ends and covers,

and the second side over that again.

In each side is a vertical slit 6 which starts from the base up through the plinth. In this slit a tie or strut 7 slides up and down, which may be made to serve as a handle. This tie or strut is so constructed that when it is drawn upwards the sides are immovable. Thus the sides cannot be released unless the tie or strut is lying across the base of the box or basket between the plinths. of any suitable non-flexible material.

The ends are hinged to the base so as to allow them to fold inwards. They are furnished at each side with a small pro jection h which moves through a curved slit 9 in the sides when the ends are raised This tie or strut may be made or lowered and prevents any play with the s1des,'the slit being so fashioned at its: uppermost extremity as to automatically lock the endinto position.

If desired, the curved. slit in the sides; may be omitted anda guide. or runnellbesubstituted to take. the rojection' on the ends. This projection it desired may be connected with the corresponding projection on the other side of the end. The

projection and curved slit, guide or runnel,

may be substituted by a spring in the side over which the end is to pass to its erect position and which will prevent its return unless the spring is released. In this case a stop must be provided to keep the end from falling outwards. The end may also be supported by hook and eyelet, swivel ring and slot, or any other suitable fastention they rest on small supports 2' on the inner sides of the basket, their ends projecting under the tie or strut which prevents its accidentally slipping downwards. These supportsmay be of any kind desired.

If a further support for the tie or strut be desired, it can be supplied by means of springs or of a wedge shaped formation on the inside of the knob at each end of the tie or strut, sliding freely in the slit 6 and gripping the sides of the box in the locking position.

Rings is are attached to the outside of the covers by which their raising is facilitated, and by which the cover can be secured.

The tie or strut cannot fall out of place on account of the cover, or springs if such are provided. The ends cannot fall unless purposely released. The sides cannot fall unless the other parts are folded down, and I claim for my invention that it is when erected'a strong, rigid and easily portable receptacle, and when collapsed it forms a small, compact, strong article, easily transported, singly or in bulk, its erection and folding down being easy of manipulation.

Ventilation when desired may be obtained I by perforationsin the material used.

All parts may have small portions cut out so as to avoid fouling of other parts, supports, stops and the like.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 2-- v 1. In a collapsible receptacle having a base, four sides hinged to said base and adapted to lie flat thereon when in the collapsed position, a flap hinged to two of said opposite sides and adapted to form a cover and means for locking the four sides together when in the erected position, said means for locking the four sides together comprising a slit formed in eachoi' two opposite sides and a movable rod adapted to slide in said slit.

2. In a collapsible receptacle having a base, four sides hinged to said base and adapted to lie flat thereon when in the collapsed position, a flap hinged to two of said opposite sides and adapted to form a cover and means for locking the four sides to gether when in the erected position, said means for locking the four sides together comprising a slit formed in each of two opposite sides and a movable rod adapted to slide in said slit, said rod being adapted to form a handle for carryin the receptacle.

In testimony whereof f'have signed my name to this specification.

CATHERINE ISABELLA FARLEY. 

